Eastern Alps

The Beautiful Eastern Alps

The Eastern Alps are a wonderful part of the mountain world in Europe. They are found east of a line from Lake Constance and the Alpine Rhine valley, going up to the Splügen Pass at the Alpine divide, and down the Liro River to Lake Como in the south. These mountains are not as tall as those in the Western Alps, but they cover a big area and have many green valleys. This makes them a favorite place for people to hike, ski, and enjoy nature.

Where They Are

The Eastern Alps are in several countries. They are in eastern Switzerland, all of Liechtenstein, and most of Austria. They also reach into Southern Germany, Italy, and Slovenia. In the south, the mountains end at the Padan Plain in Italy. In the north, the Danube River separates the Eastern Alps from the Bohemian Massif. The Vienna Woods are the easternmost part, looking over the Danube and the Vienna basin.

Tall Mountains and Rivers

The highest mountain in the Eastern Alps is Piz Bernina at 4,049 meters (13,284 feet) in Switzerland. Other tall mountains are Ortler at 3,905 meters (12,812 feet) in Italy, and Großglockner at 3,798 meters (12,461 feet), the highest mountain in Austria. The Alpine Rhine starts in Switzerland and flows through several valleys. It then forms the border between Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and later between Switzerland and Austria.

Fun Places to Visit

People have lived in and visited the Eastern Alps for many years, enjoying the natural beauty and rich cultures. Innsbruck is a nice town in a valley between high mountains. The Vienna Woods are a protected forest area in Austria. The Pasterze Glacier is also protected in Austria. The Eastern Alps are a great place to explore and have adventures in nature.